Scintillation System Patents (Class 250/370.11)
  • Patent number: 8217360
    Abstract: A neutron moderator includes a neutron generator; a neutron moderating material arranged on one side of the neutron generator; a gamma ray shielding material covering an external surface of the neutron moderating material; and a thermal neutron absorbing material covering the external surface of the neutron moderating material except a side where the neutron generator is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigehiro Nukatsuka, Yasuhiro Iwamura, Michio Katoh, Kazuya Nishimura, Hidenori Sawamura
  • Publication number: 20120168633
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods/apparatus according to the application can include radiographic imaging device comprising an imaging array of pixels or a plurality of photosensors including a first side to receive light from a scintillator and a second side to pass second light responsive to impingement of the scintillator light and a reflective layer configured to reflect third light responsive to impingement of the second light. Exemplary photosensors can absorb a prescribed amount of the scintillator light received through a first transparent side and the third light received through a second transparent side. Exemplary reflective arrangements can be selected based upon scintillotor emission characteristics and/or photosensor absorption characteristics. Embodiments of radiographic detector arrays and methods can reduce photosensor thickness to reduce noise, reduce image lag and/or increase charge capacity. Embodiments can maintain the quantum efficiency of a reduced thickness photosensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy J. Tredwell
  • Patent number: 8212141
    Abstract: There is provided a high-sensitivity organic semiconductor radiation/light sensor and a radiation/light detector which can detect rays in real time. In the high-sensitivity organic semiconductor radiation/light sensor, a signal amplification wire 2 is embedded in an organic semiconductor 1. Carriers created by passage of radiation or light are avalanche-amplified by a high electric field generated near the signal amplification wire 2 by means of applying a high voltage to the signal amplification wire 2, thus dramatically improving detection efficiency of rays. Hence, even rays exhibiting low energy loss capability can be detected in real time with high sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: Niigata University, Japan Carlit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Miyata, Yoshimasa Fujigaki, Yoji Yamaguchi, Yoshinori Muto, Masaaki Tamura
  • Patent number: 8212221
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detector for measuring nuclear radiation, especially gamma-radiation, comprising a scintillator crystal with a light decay time of less than 100 ns, a silicon drift detector (SDD) for the measurement of both direct hits of low energy radiation and the light, being emitted from the scintillator crystal, the silicon drift detector being mounted between the scintillation crystal and the radiation entry window, a preamplifier, connected to the SDD, electronic devices, being capable of determining the signal rise time of the measured signals and of separating the signals on the basis of said rise time, electronic devices, being capable of separately collecting the energy spectra of SDD and scintillator detection events on the basis of the different rise times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ICX Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Stein, Guntram Pausch, Cristina Plettner
  • Patent number: 8212220
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus and method, the apparatus (100) comprising a first scintillator (112) for interacting with radiation and outputting light in response thereto, a first photodetector (102) adjacent to the first scintillator (112) for receiving and detecting light from the first scintillator (112) and outputting (108) a first output signal in response thereto, a second scintillator (114) located around the first scintillator (112), for interacting with radiation and outputting light in response thereto, and a second photodetector (104) adjacent to the second scintillator (114) for receiving and detecting light from the second scintillator (114) and outputting (110) a second output signal in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: University of Wollongong
    Inventors: Michael Lloyd Franz Lerch, Anatoly Rozenfeld, Olexander Gektin
  • Patent number: 8198597
    Abstract: A variable delay device is connected to a photosensor of a time-of-flight gamma ray detection system and includes a substrate on which a plurality of conductive pins are affixed. A first terminal connected to a first of the plurality of pins and a second terminal connected to the second of the plurality of pins are also affixed to the substrate. A jumper electrically connects the plurality of pins at a predetermined distance relative to the substrate, and a time delay of the variable delay device is determined based on the electrical path between the first and second terminals formed by the plurality of pins and the jumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kent Burr, Daniel Gagnon, John Jedrzejewski
  • Patent number: 8198594
    Abstract: The invention provides a radiation detection device (1) for obtaining an image of a part of a test animal or human using high-energy radiation, comprising a detection chamber, a plurality of pinholes distributed all around the detection chamber over at least one pinhole wall, at least one framing wall having an opening for the high-energy radiation, at least one detector which is designed for detecting high-energy radiation, in which a plurality of image fields are provided on the at least one detector, in each case having one beam path from a part of the detection chamber to at least one detector, in which at least one of the at least one pinhole wall and the at least one framing wall is displaceable in such a manner that at least one of the plurality of image fields can be modified in size and/or direction. This provides the possibility to image an object at several angles, or to image a larger or a different part thereof, so that the entire device can be used in a more flexible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Milabs B.V.
    Inventor: Frederik Johannes Beekman
  • Patent number: 8193510
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation detector with improved workability in manufacturing processes and maintenance processes. Namely, a first housing and a second housing can be opened, to allow accessing of a TFT substrate and a radiation converting layer disposed in the first housing, and to allow accessing of a circuit substrate disposed in the second housing. Accordingly, higher workability can be achieved in manufacturing processes such as connecting of switching elements of the TFT substrate and the circuit substrate, and in maintenance processes of the TFT substrate and the circuit substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Fumito Nariyuki, Yoshihiro Okada
  • Patent number: 8183533
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120121067
    Abstract: An x-ray detector that is suitable for both imaging and dose rate measurement has a hybrid photoactive layer arranged between an electrode and a substrate. The hybrid photoactive layer includes a number of scintillators as well as a bulk heterojunction and is designed to produce indirect x-ray conversion. The bulk heterojunction absorbs the scintillator radiation to form electron-hole pairs that are detected electrically. The production takes place by a spraying process, in particular a co-spraying process of bulk heterojunction solution and scintillator particle suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Oliver Hayden, Tobias Rauch, Reiner Franz Schulz, Maria Sramek, Sandro Francesco Tedde
  • Publication number: 20120112083
    Abstract: The present invention is a photodetector including improved photosensors configured of an array of small (sub-millimeter) high-density avalanche photodiode cells utilized to readout a single scintillator. Each photosensor comprises a plurality of avalanche photodiodes cells arranged in an (n×n) array of avalanche photodiode cells (where, n>1) that are coupled to a single scintillation crystal. The overall (n×n) array area as the photosensor is the same as the area of a face of the scintillator and each avalanche photodiode cell has a surface area that is not greater than one square millimeter. The photosensor is also configured to facilitate reading the output of each avalanche photodiode cell in the array. By reading out each small avalanche photodiode cell independently, the noise and capacitance are minimized and thereby provide a more accurate determination of energy and timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Nan Zhang, Ronald Grazioso, Debora Henseler, Matthias J. Schmand
  • Publication number: 20120112082
    Abstract: A scintillator panel assembly for gamma ray detection includes a scintillator panel having fluorescent material therein for generating a photon when a gamma ray enters the panel, and one or more non-scintillating segments embedded in opposing edges of the scintillator panel which conduct light but do not generate a photon when a gamma ray enters. One or more photon detectors, such as photomultiplier tubes, are disposed immediately adjacent the one or more non-scintillating segments for receiving photons conducted through the non-scintillating segments. The non-scintillating segments preferably have optical transmission and reflection properties that are substantially the same as the optical transmission and reflection properties of the scintillator panel. This configuration provides substantially uniform light output response for all photon generation locations which results in improved spectral resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: NUCSAFE, INC.
    Inventors: Alan E. Proctor, James R. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 8168954
    Abstract: A radiation image detector includes a radiation-image-detector main body and a vacuum container. The radiation-image-detector main body generates charges by irradiation with an electromagnetic wave for recording that carries a radiation image and records the radiation image by accumulating the charges. The vacuum container is sealed to store the radiation-image-detector main body in a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Iwakiri
  • Publication number: 20120097858
    Abstract: A multi-layered mega-voltage digital imager is disclosed. In one embodiment, the radiation to particle conversion and particle to electricity conversion is paired as a modular entity. The entity is replicated on top of each other as a layered unit to build an imager with increased resolution and efficiency. Due to this paired replication, sub-images from each replicated pair may be selectively combined and processed to enhance the quality of the image. By varying and adding components at each layer, a different dose rate, and increased resolution, energy sensitivity and efficiency are achieved. The multilayered approach is cost effective and removes problems associated with traditional high efficient MV imagers used for high energy radiations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel MORF
  • Patent number: 8164065
    Abstract: In a radiation detecting apparatus of the invention, plural pixels are arranged, and the pixel has a conversion element converting a radiation into an electric signal and a switching element connected to the conversion element. The conversion element includes a first electrode disposed on a first surface of an insulating substrate, a second electrode disposed on the first electrode, and a semiconductor layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is made of a light-transmitting conductive material which transmits light emitted from a light source, and the first electrode is formed form a light transmitting electroconductive material transmitting light emitted form a light source disposed on a second surface of the insulating substrate opposite to the first surface. The switching element has a light shielding member which prevents incidence of the light from the light source to the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii
  • Patent number: 8158949
    Abstract: A radiation detector characterized by includes a photoelectric conversion element, a scintillation layer which converts radioactive rays to fluorescence, the scintillation layer being formed on the photoelectric conversion element, and a reflective film formed on the scintillation layer, the reflective film containing light-scattering particles for reflecting the fluorescence from the scintillation layer and a binder material binding the light-scattering particles, and having depletion portions without being filled with the binder material, the depletion portions being formed in a periphery of the light-scattering particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Homma, Shinetsu Fujieda
  • Patent number: 8158952
    Abstract: A method of assembling a scintillation detector including placing a scintillator crystal in a casing, and forming a sealed casing having a controlled atmosphere different than ambient atmosphere, wherein the controlled atmosphere includes an inert gas and a trace gas in an amount of at least about 1 vol % and not greater than about 30 vol %, wherein the trace gas is selected from the group of materials consisting of hydrogen, helium, neon, krypton, xenon, and carbon monoxide. The assembling method further includes testing the sealed casing for leaks by detecting the presence of the trace gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Menge, Michael Kusner
  • Patent number: 8153986
    Abstract: A system in one embodiment includes an array of radiation detectors; and an array of imagers positioned behind the array of detectors relative to an expected trajectory of incoming radiation. A method in another embodiment includes detecting incoming radiation with an array of radiation detectors; detecting the incoming radiation with an array of imagers positioned behind the array of detectors relative to a trajectory of the incoming radiation; and performing at least one of Compton imaging using at least the imagers and coded aperture imaging using at least the imagers. A method in yet another embodiment includes detecting incoming radiation with an array of imagers positioned behind an array of detectors relative to a trajectory of the incoming radiation; and performing Compton imaging using at least the imagers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Lucian Mihailescu, Kai M. Vetter
  • Patent number: 8148697
    Abstract: A phoswich device for determining depth of interaction (DOI) includes a first scintillator having a first scintillation decay time characteristic, a second scintillator having a second scintillation decay time characteristic substantially equal to the first scintillation decay time, a photodetector coupled to the second scintillator, and a wavelength shifting layer coupled between the first scintillator and the second scintillator, wherein the wavelength shifting layer modifies the first scintillation decay time characteristic of the first scintillator to enable the photodetector to differentiate between the first decay time characteristic and the second decay time characteristic. The phoswich device is particularly applicable to positron emission tomography (PET) applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Florian Bauer, Lars A. Eriksson, Ronald Grazioso, Charles L. Melcher, Harold E. Rothfuss
  • Patent number: 8143587
    Abstract: An intermediate layer is located between a recording photoconductive layer and an electrode, which is either one of a bias electrode and a reference electrode, and which is located on the side at positive electric potential with respect to a charge accumulating section at the time of readout of electric charges of the charge accumulating section. The intermediate layer is an a-Se layer containing, as a specific substance, at least one kind of substance selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal fluoride, an alkaline earth metal fluoride, an alkali metal oxide, an alkaline earth metal oxide, SiOx, and GeOx, where x represents a number satisfying 0.5?x?1.5, in a concentration falling within the range of 0.003 mol % to 0.03 mol %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Patent number: 8143586
    Abstract: A detector for detecting radiation, the detector comprising: a plurality of elongate scintillator segments arranged in a side by side array; and at least one pair of light sensors optically coupled to ends of each of the elongate scintillator such that they receive light from scintillations produced in the scintillator and generate electrical signals responsive thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Dan Inbar
  • Patent number: 8129685
    Abstract: Problem: The problem is to provide a fluorescent material for a scintillator to be used in a radiation detector. In view of this, the fluorescent material must have a high fluorescent intensity and a low level of afterglow 1 to 300 ms after the termination of X-ray radiation. Solution: The above problem is solved in that the above fluorescent material contains Ce as an activator. In addition, the material contain at least Gd, Al, Ga, O, Si, and a component M. The component M is at least one of Mg, Ti, and Ni. In addition, the composition of the material must be expressed by the general formula: (Gd1?x?zLuxCez)3+a(Al1?u?sGauScs)5?aO12 wherein 0?a?0.15, 0?x?0.5, 0.0003?z?0.0167, 0.2?u?0.6, and 0?s?0.1, and wherein, regarding the concentrations of Si and M, 0.5?Si concentration (mass ppm)?10, and 0?M concentration (mass ppm)?50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryouhei Nakamura, Shunsuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 8115176
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detector for the measurement of ionizing radiation, preferably ?-radiation and x-rays, comprising a scintillator and a light detector, the light detector being stabilized by using a predefined light source, preferably a Light Emitting Diode (LED), where the length and/or shape of the light pulses of the light source is different from the length and/or shape of the light pulses emitted by the scintillator. The light source induced pulses and the radiation induced pulses are separated from all other pulses on the basis of their pulse width. The detector is additionally stabilized by correcting the measured light output, that is the pulse height of the output signals, of the detector with the detector temperature shift, being dependant from the average pulse width of the accumulated ?-pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: ICx Radiation GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Stein, Guntram Pausch
  • Patent number: 8115178
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radiation detector comprises a scintillator and a photodiode optically coupled to the scintillator. The radiation detector also includes a bias voltage source electrically coupled to the photodiode, a first detector operatively electrically coupled to the photodiode for generating a signal indicative of a level of a charge at an output of the photodiode, and a second detector operatively electrically coupled to the bias voltage source for generating a signal indicative of an amount of current flowing through the photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.
    Inventors: Roscoe E. Marrs, Norman W. Madden
  • Patent number: 8115177
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus has a sensor panel including a photoelectric conversion unit with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements over a substrate, a wavelength converter, disposed over the photoelectric conversion unit of the sensor panel, for converting a radiation into light detectable by the photoelectric conversion element, a plane shaped light emitting body for emitting light to the photoelectric conversion unit of the sensor panel, disposed over the wavelength converter, and a protective layer disposed on the plane shaped light emitting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Takeda, Yoshihiro Ogawa, Satoshi Okada, Masato Inoue, Kazumi Nagano, Keiichi Nomura, Satoru Sawada
  • Patent number: 8115174
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Patent number: 8115175
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Patent number: 8106364
    Abstract: An X-ray detecting panel includes a thin film transistor; first and second photosensors connected to the thin film transistor; and a scintillator which changes X-rays that are external and incident thereto into visible light rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwan-Wook Jung, Dae-Ho Choo
  • Patent number: 8106363
    Abstract: A digital radiography panel has a scintillator screen having a light-exiting surface from a material with a first index of refraction n1 and a photosensor array having a light-accepting surface from a material with a second index of refraction n2. A pressure-sensitive adhesive couples the light-exiting surface of the scintillator screen to the light-accepting surface of the photosensor array and has a third index of refraction that has a value nPSA that either lies in the range between n1 and n2, or substantially matches n1 or n2, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Kwok L. Yip
  • Publication number: 20120018627
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a radiographic array, flat detector panel and/or X-ray imaging apparatus including the same and/or methods for using the same or calibrating the same. Exemplary embodiments can reduce or address noise occurring in the optically sensitive pixels that is temporally not related to image data detected by the optically sensitive pixels or dark reference frames detected by the optically sensitive pixels. Exemplary embodiments can include a capacitive element in a calibration pixel coupled between a row conductive line and a column conductive line in an imaging array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy J. Tredwell, Gregory N. Heiler
  • Patent number: 8084745
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a pixel region, on an insulating substrate 100, including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel having a conversion element 101 that converts radiation into electric charges and a switching element 102 connected to the conversion element 101. The conversion element 101 has an upper electrode layer 119, a lower electrode layer 115, a semiconductor layer 117 arranged between the upper electrode layer 119 and the lower electrode layer 115. The upper electrode layer 119 or the lower electrode layer 115 has an opening 200 at least within a region where the semiconductor layer 117 is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii, Masakazu Morishita
  • Patent number: 8084743
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting a received electromagnetic wave comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and an amorphous oxide layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Keishi Saito, Hideo Hosono, Toshio Kamiya, Kenji Nomura
  • Patent number: 8080806
    Abstract: An electron tube of the present invention includes: a vacuum vessel including a face plate portion made of synthetic silica and having a surface on which a photoelectric surface is provided, a stem portion arranged facing the photoelectric surface and made of synthetic silica, and a side tube portion having one end connected to the face plate portion and the other end connected to the stem portion and made of synthetic silica; a projection portion arranged in the vacuum vessel, extending from the stem portion toward the photoelectric surface, and made of synthetic silica; and an electron detector arranged on the projection portion, for detecting electrons from the photoelectric surface, and made of silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Motohiro Suyama, Atsuhito Fukasawa, Katsushi Arisaka, Hanguo Wang
  • Patent number: 8081250
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprising: a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric converting element; a plurality of capacitor which receive signals from the plurality of pixels at first terminals; a plurality of clamping switches for setting a second terminal of each of the plurality of capacitor into a predetermined electric potential; a plurality of first storing units for storing signals from the second terminals of the plurality of capacitor; a plurality of second storing units for storing the signals from the second terminals of the plurality of capacitor; a first common output line to which the signals from the plurality of first storing units are sequentially output; a second common output line to which the signals from the plurality of second storing units are sequentially output; and a difference circuit for operating a difference between the signal from the first common output line and the signal from the second common output line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Hiyama, Katsuhito Sakurai, Akira Okita, Hideaki Takada
  • Patent number: 8076646
    Abstract: A partitioned pipeline read-out circuit architecture eliminates real-time constraints from off-chip read-out control electronics in a solid-state radiation detector system, so that an efficient decoupled architecture is possible. The front-end electronics includes a multi-channel ASIC with independently triggered charge sensitive pre-amplifiers, shaper circuits, and switched sample-and-hold capacitor circuits for each photodiode or pixel of the detector module. With this structure, individual photodiodes of the photodetector array can detect and store scintillation events independently and randomly. The ASIC is interfaced to an external successive approximation A/D converter for conversion and subsequent input to a data processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: James Frank Caruba, John C. Engdahl
  • Patent number: 8076647
    Abstract: A device with high efficiency and high spatial resolution for detection of individual x-rays includes a detector for x-rays with energy exceeding 20 keV based on a columnar scintillator having a number of columns, and a semiconductor readout circuit coupled to the scintillator, where the detector is configured for providing a detector resolution that is independent of scintillator thickness. This may be accomplished by estimating a misalignment of the columns of the columnar scintillator with respect to the direction of incoming x-rays and either physically aligning the columns of the columnar scintillator to the direction of incoming x-rays or computationally correcting for the estimated misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventors: Mats Danielsson, Sandra Tibbelin
  • Publication number: 20110297839
    Abstract: A solid-body X-ray image detector and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The detector has a circular surface area arrangement of CCD or CMOS detector pixels on a substrate, a scintillator arranged on the substrate, and a circular detector surface area, wherein the substrate comprises a single, substantially circular silicon wafer and the detector surface area takes up the surface area of the silicon wafer up to a narrow edge region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Ziehm Imaging, GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Berauer
  • Patent number: 8067743
    Abstract: Pixels including a photoelectric conversion element 1, a signal transfer TFT (thin film transistor) 2 electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element, and a reset TFT 3 electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element and for applying a bias to the photoelectric conversion element are two-dimensionally disposed on the insulating substrate, and the photoelectric conversion element 1, signal transfer TFT 2, and reset TFT 3 are electrically connected through a common contact hole 9. A source or drain electrode of the signal transfer TFT 2 and the source or drain electrode of the reset TFT 3 are formed from a common electroconductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamasa Ishii, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110278466
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes an array of detector pixels each including an array of detector cells. Each detector cell includes a photodiode biased in a breakdown region and digital circuitry coupled with the photodiode and configured to output a first digital value in a quiescent state and a second digital value responsive to photon detection by the photodiode. Digital triggering circuitry is configured to output a trigger signal indicative of a start of an integration time period responsive to a selected number of one or more of the detector cells transitioning from the first digital value to the second digital value. Readout digital circuitry accumulates a count of a number of transitions of detector cells of the array of detector cells from the first digital state to the second digital state over the integration time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas FRACH, Klaus FIEDLER
  • Publication number: 20110272588
    Abstract: A digital radiography detector includes a housing having first and second spaced planar members and four side walls defining a cavity. A radiographic image detector assembly is mounted within the cavity for converting a radiographic image to an electronic radiographic image. The detector assembly includes a detector array mounted on a stiffener. A shock absorbing elastomer assembly is located within the cavity for absorbing shock to the detector array/stiffener in directions perpendicular to and parallel to the detector array/stiffener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Bradley S. Jadrich, Timothy A. Peter, Sreeram Dhurjaty, Jeffery R. Hawver, Mark D. Bedzyk
  • Patent number: 8053716
    Abstract: An imaging system comprises a first charge-coupled device (CCD), a second CCD, and a processor. The first CCD is configured to receive one or more light flashes, record a first set of data based on the light flashes, shift the first set of data in a first direction, read out the first set of data, and read out continuously. The second CCD is configured to receive the one or more light flashes, record a second set of data based on the light flashes, shift the second set of data in a second direction opposite to the first direction, read out the second set of data, and read out continuously. The processor, coupled to the first CCD and second CCD, is configured to determine a time and a location of the one or more light flashes based on the first set of data and the second set of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Munther M. Hindi, Lee M. Klynn
  • Patent number: 8049156
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for excess signal compensation in an imaging system is described. In one particular embodiment, the invention provides for non-linear background, offset (due to time dependent dark current) and/or lag (including constant, linear and non-linear terms, due to image persistence) corrections of large area, flat panel imaging sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Partain, Ivan Mollov, Carlo Tognina, Richard E. Colbeth
  • Patent number: 8049178
    Abstract: High rate radiation detectors are disclosed herein. The detectors include a detector material disposed inside the container, the detector material containing cadmium, tellurium, and zinc, a first dopant containing at least one of aluminum, chlorine, and indium, and a second dopant containing a rare earth metal. The first dopant has a concentration of about 500 to about 20,000 atomic parts per billion, and the second dopant has a concentration of about 200 to about 20,000 atomic parts per billion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kelvin Lynn, Kelly Jones, Guido Ciampi
  • Patent number: 8044356
    Abstract: A survey meter for measuring a radioactive contamination caused in an inner surface of a pipe includes a radiation detecting section and a signal processing section. The radiation detecting section includes a rod-shaped light guide unit, a reflecting portion connected to one end surface of the light guide unit, a photoelectric transfer unit, for outputting an electronic signal, connected to another one end surface of the light guide unit, and a scintillator unit provided to a circumference of the light guide unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akio Sumita, Syunichiro Makino, Mikio Izumi, Tetsuo Goto
  • Patent number: 8044480
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a radiation detector comprising a photosensitive receiver (1; 30; 41) associated with a radiation converter (5) which is fixed by bonding to the photosensitive receiver (1; 30; 41). The method uses a film of adhesive (6; 61; 62) protected on each of its faces by a protective film and in carrying out the following operations in succession. A one protective film is removed. The film of adhesive (6; 61; 62) is laminated to the first element (5). The second protective film is removed. The second element (1; 30; 41) is brought into contact with the film of adhesive (6; 61; 62). The invention also relates to a tool for producing a radiation detector and to a method of employing this tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventor: Patrick Dast
  • Patent number: 8044362
    Abstract: An x-ray detector including an array substrate including blocks extending along the array substrate in a first direction. Each of the blocks includes cells that are each associated with a data line extending in parallel with the first direction and a gate line extending perpendicularly to the first direction such that the data line crosses the gate line, a thin film transistor respectively connected to the gate and data lines, and a photodiode connected to the thin film transistor to receive light. The cells store charges corresponding to an amount of the light. Gate drivers are connected to ends of the gate lines to select rows of the cells associated with each of the gate lines. Read-out circuits are connected to ends of the data lines to read out charges stored in the cells, of each of the selected rows, that are respectively associated with each of the data lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Sang Goo, Dae-Ho Choo, Kwan-Wook Jung
  • Patent number: 8039810
    Abstract: A scintillation-based detection device and method for continuous monitoring of flowing liquids for the presence of radionuclides. A side-stream pipe directs a portion of the monitored liquid from the main flow transfer pipe through and/or around the detector. Within the side-stream pipe is a scintillation detector assembly, having) either a nested-cylindrical or stacked-element shape. The real-time to near real-time detection capabilities are influenced by the total surface area of the detector assembly. The detectors are operated in anti-coincidence mode to distinguish pure beta-emitters from beta-gamma emitters and from pure gamma events. A gross beta count, gross gamma count, or some combination may also be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Canberra Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Rodgers, Markku J. Koskelo
  • Patent number: 8039806
    Abstract: A radiation detector device is disclosed and includes a scintillation device having a scintillator crystal. The radiation detector device also includes a photosensor. Further, the radiation detector device includes an optical interface coupled between the scintillation device and the photosensor. The optical interface is electrically conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Frank, Peter R. Menge, Renee Gaspar
  • Publication number: 20110248176
    Abstract: A detection apparatus comprising a substrate; a switching element arranged over the substrate and including a plurality of electrodes; a conductive line arranged over the substrate and electrically connected to a first electrode of the plurality of electrodes of the switching element; and a conversion element including a semiconductor layer arranged over the switching element and the conductive line and arranged between two electrodes, one electrode of the two electrodes being electrically connected to a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes of the switching element, is provided. The one electrode of the conversion element is arranged over the switching element and the conductive line through a space formed between the one electrode and the first electrode of the switching element or between the one electrode and the conductive line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi
  • Patent number: 8034258
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inorganic scintillator material of formula Lu(2-y)Y(y-z-x) CexMzSi(1-v)M?vO5, in which: M represents a divalent alkaline earth metal and M? represents a trivalent metal, (z+v) being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than or equal to 0.2; z being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2; v being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2; x being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than 0.1; and y ranging from (x+z) to 1. In particular, this material may equip scintillation detectors for applications in industry, for the medical field (scanners) and/or for detection in oil drilling. The presence of Ca in the crystal reduces the afterglow, while stopping power for high-energy radiation remains high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Cristaux et Detecteurs
    Inventors: Bernard Ferrand, Bruno Viana, Ludivine Pidol, Pieter Dorenbos